Penang International Science Fair (PISF) is an event organized as part of the Penang Science Cluster's(PSC) mission of “Inspiring Innovation”, which focuses on developing young minds and exposing them to science and engineering through a unique, stimulating and innovative experience. This event is a collaboration between the Penang State Government and the industries that form the backbone of the PSC.

I am very happy to announce today that the 4th Penang International Science Fair will again be held at SPICE, from 10am-7pm, Saturday, November 14h to 10am – 7pm, Sunday, November 15th, 2015. The fair cost a total of RM450K, sponsored by various MNCs and local enterprises, and joint sponsorship of the venue by the State Government, worth RM141K. This does not include the cost of exhibits brought in by the various exhibitors. As in previous years, we are expecting record crowd again this year, as in previous years. We expect to draw an expected crowd of 60,000 visitors. This is the largest international science fair in Malaysia – so large that it is the only one held in a sports stadium.

I would like to thank the Penang Science Cluster and Motorola Solutions for providing the leadership and energy to make this year's Penang International Science fair to be another milestone for science education in Penang. Since the establishment of the Penang Science Cluster in 2009, we have successfully organized 4 international sized and quality science fairs here in Penang.

Sponsorship for this event, over the period of 4 years, have grown from 28 to 67; our exhibitors have grown from 12 to 45 and attendance increasing from 12,000 to 60,000 this year. This represents 3 times growth over 4 years on all metrics. Dr. Hari, MD of Motorola Solutions who is the organizing chair this year, will elaborate on the Science Fair activities.

PSC, as you all know by now, is a Private, Public, Partnership; set up as a non-profit, tax-exempt, organisation, with strong support from the Penang State Government and the MNCs in Penang. PSC has a mission to build a healthy pipeline of talent by sparking interest in science and technology, creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our young in Penang and Malaysia.

PSC inspires students through hands-on, inquiry-based science and technology activities. PSC supports 110 schools in our TechMentor Lego Robotics, Embedded Systems and Coding programs with 150+ volunteer mentors and the loan of hardware and software. All the programs are free to schools.

PSC's latest initiative is to establish science cafes in every population centres in Penang to promote the learning of STEM subjects in a fun and innovative way and to support the growth of the maker movement in Penang. PSC successfully launched PenangScienceCafé @Krystal Point in December 2013, a first for Penang, and a first in the country. More than 5000 students have attended workshops there.Let me end by encouraging the press to publicise PISF so that all may come to enjoy the spectacular show that has been created. I strongly encourage people to come visit this fair together with their children so that they can be inspired by science and be motivated to take up STEM based careers.

The Penang International Science fair is truly a very unique event with active support from every segment of the community ranging from industry, government, universities to individuals.

We are living in a trying time. Both globally and nationally, people often experience bigotry, injustice and violence not because of what they do, but simply because of who they are. Simply because they belong to the wrong groups, they are persecuted, vilified and discriminated against.

Often it seems that diversity is a curse to humanity. Logically, a simplest solution then is to eliminate the differences of all 6 billion people on earth. For some, if we speak the same language, then we will not misunderstand each other. For some others, if we all practice inter-marriage such that we will all be relatives in a few generations’ time, then we won’t fight each other.

The unfortunate fact is division and enmity persists even when there is no diversity but many similarities. In Northern Ireland, the Catholics and the Protestants are not the best neighbours even though they are all English-speaking Christians. In ex-Yugoslavia, where inter-marriages were common, ruthless ethnic cleansing still happened when the authoritarian regime collapsed.

After diversity, democracy is often blamed for conflicts. For some, if people do not have political freedom, or if there is a strong government, then there will be order and peace. In other words, count on government leaders to be inclusive and fair-minded. Unfortunately, in reality, authoritarian leaders are often more inclined to play up ethnic-religious sentiments to stay afloat.

The other problem of counting on a benevolent despot is of course corruption. As Lord Acton warns us, “power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. In the 50s and 60s, the Philippines was once the leading economy in Asia but after 21 years of corrupt rule under President Ferdinand Marcos, exporting labour especially maids becomes one of the country’s key sources of income and of course our Prime Minister has now exceeded Marcos's record with the reported discovery by Wall Street Journal of the largest sum of USD 700 million in any country’s leader bank account – a world record.

How do we find peace when we are diverse and free? This is the question confronting Malaysia after 2008.

Since the political tsunami, we have seen more rigorous competition between political parties not only in elections, but also in governance. On the side of Pakatan Harapan and previously Pakatan Rakyat, we work hard to curb corruption and improve efficiency and effectiveness in governance to advance the well-being of the people. Meanwhile, citizens’ participation in public affairs – from expressing their views on social media, joining peaceful protests to taking part in policy consultation – has also significantly increased. The day that governments can pretend they know best and act as if they are the people’s boss is over. Now, politicians are constantly reminded: People are the boss! If you do not perform, you will have to pack and go.

However, we have also seen more incidents of rising ethno-religious tensions since 2008. I, for example, have lost count myself how many times demonstrations were held in front of Komtar because I and my government are apparently anti-Malay or anti-Muslim. Never mind we have given more funds to our mosques and suraus. Never mind we have worked very hard to help the poor – majority of them are Malays – from creating more job opportunities to giving cash handouts.

About four months ago, a theft in a mobile phone shop escalated into a small ethnic riot in Low Yat Plaza, Kuala Lumpur. Two months after that, we had the red shirt rally threatening violence on Chinese Malaysians for joining the Bersih rally. And the police even had to fire water cannon to disperse a group of UMNO supporters. The latest development is that a former chief minister of state vowing to lead his martial art group to war if necessary.

How do we deal with these incidences? Should we close down Chinese and Tamil schools as some suggested to “promote national unity”? Should we revive the draconian Internal Security Act so that the Government can put people behind bar indefinitely as they wish? Or should we blame religions, as a former minister said, racism is religiously permitted?

I think not. I think we must affirm and celebrate diversity and democracy.

Just as restrictions or intolerance of diversity adversely impact the minorities, even the majority Malays are not affected. Let me share two views by 2 brave Malay ladies :- Firstly, Tunku Munawirah Putra who had defended Farah Ann and another by stating “How can someone who has done the country proud by achieving the best sports honours in the region be judged on her sports attire or a scholar who has achieved academic excellence be frowned upon for not donning the hijab? What's worse, a daughter's plea for help to recover her cancer-striken father's medical records stolen from their car was criticised because she wrote on her Facebook wall in English.”

Secondly, Zainah Anwar, who has expressed her concern over the course of direction the country is heading to by questioning, “Why after decades of rigorous development planning, 40% of Malaysian households earn only about RM1,847 a month? Why after more than four decades of the NEP, 75.5% of those at the bottom are Bumiputeras? Why in spite of the billions poured into education and boarding schools, 64.3% of the Bumiputera workforce have only SPM qualifications? Why some 90% of the unemployable university graduates are Bumiputeras? Why of the $54 billion worth of shares pumped to Bumiputera individuals and institutions between 1984 and 2005, only $2 billion remained in Bumiputera hands today?”

To know each other, may I propose then the third “D” after diversity and democracy: dialogue. Dialogue is not monologues by two parties. More than just expressing ourselves, dialogue is about listening to the other party. The key of dialogue is then mutual respect and understanding. Understand how we are made different so that we can know each other better and celebrate our common goodness and universal values.

We are very blessed to have in this morning accomplished lawyers and scholars, Mr Nizam Bashir, Mr Lim Heng Seng, Mr Aston Paiva, Dr Nawab Osman, Dr Maznah Mohamed and Dr Syed Farid Alatas to enlighten us on the Federal Constitution and Syariah Law and more generally, the implications of Political Islam and Islamisation in a plural society. I am sure they have left us a lot to reflect and have more dialogues.

Must there be conflict between Syariah or Islamic tenets and a plural society in a constitutional democracy?

Just last weekend, an influential and well-respected Islamist organisation Ikram organised two events discussing maqasid (the higher objectives) of Syariah, which advocates for inclusive and good governance. The speakers featured include Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi of Tunisia (on video), Ustaz Muhammad Anis of Indonesia and our very own Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa. Our forum today is a good follow-up to the discussion last week.

I understand that after lunch, the three accomplished scholars from International Islamic University of Malaysia, Dr Mazlee Malik, Dr Mohd Iqbal Abdul Wahab and Mr Naser Tun Abdul Rahman will enlighten us on maqasid Syariah, which should be a blessing to the human race by advancing well-being, justice and freedom for all. And we will have Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as discussant to connect us back on the larger conversation that is happening nationwide.

As our nation is daily bombarded with ethno-religious bigotry, let us uphold diversity, democracy and dialogue.

Historically, Penang was and is a meeting place of ideas from different civilisations, which bless us Penang people with a cosmopolitan and progressive outlook. Penang Institute should be commended for helping to co-organise the forum with G25 in this glorious tradition of Penang.

I must now express my utmost gratitude to G25 for not only bringing the forum to Penang – they will have another one in Kuala Lumpur on December 5 – but very much for standing up and speaking up at this trying time of our nation. Representing the Malay elites who have served the nation in administration, judiciary, businesses and academia, G25 is contributing immensely in the national dialogue on how to move our country forward.

Besides organising this forum on this challenging topic, G25 is also working on a detailed proposal to reform political finances. Let me state that my party has no problem disclosing our political finances. We do that at every fund-raising dinner and give a full financial report during our party conventions.

Why do we have anything to hide when as Chief Minister and elected representatives in Penang we make public declaration of assets periodically and ban family members from doing business with the state government and also from applying for government land.

What is happening to our values of right and wrong when those who are questioning unexplained wealth is wrong whereas those who have USD 700 million is considered above the law without any need to account where the money comes from and why and how was the money spent?

We are not afraid to disclose our party's and our own personal finances. Will the Prime Minister, UMNO and BN leaders dare to do so?

Let us give G25’s patriotism a big hand. On organising this programme, I would like to thank Datuk Latifah, Datuk Farida and Datuk Nazir for their dedicated effort. Special thank to Datuk Nazir for his company Aspen Group’s generous support of this forum. Similarly, I thank Penang Institute staff for their good work.

Once again, I wish everyone a fruitful dialogue on Maqasid Syariah in a Constitutional Democracy.